I do not recognize this place today.
- Scoob

Just give it time..

JG or someone will be here soon enough to bring us back to normal.

I was never worried about Patrick's skating. I honestly wondered if they had the right kinds of wingers to play with him -- he's a give-and-go guy, quick passes, anticipate and get to spots. He sees things really quickly, and you have to be a guy who thinks the game like he does to get the most out of him

Lindblom thinks like he does, and Voracek can drive possession and enter the zone with speed, allowing Patrick and Lindblom to dart to spots

Mark it down: Barring injury, that line is absolutely lethal next year. Mark it down
- AllInForFlyers

I agree with you about that line.

Also, tk and provys progress has led me to believe that they could become real strong playoff performers.

They've made moves to get better faster and those moves haven't worked out at all. Now they're moving the pieces they acquired for prospects and picks.

That's how you stay bad.
- mayorofangrytown

Bingo. If Buffalo would commit to keeping some guys there long term they would probably be an ok team. They just funneling guys in and out though and they aren't going to win anything that way. Keep it up and there's little doubt Eichel walks the first year he can.

I do not recognize this place today.
- Scoob

Haha. Too positive? Was just saying to my friend, Carolina has missed he playoffs 9 straight years, and the oilers have made it once in the last 12 years?? At least a partial reason to be proud of the team. The window to contention is opening soon.could you imagine if this team in the midst of a re tool takes out the pens?

Bingo. If Buffalo would commit to keeping some guys there long term they would probably be an ok team. They just funneling guys in and out though and they aren't going to win anything that way. Keep it up and there's little doubt Eichel walks the first year he can.
- hereticpride

He can't go anywhere -- signed an 8-year, $80 million extension that kicks in for next season

I'll admit I didn't know what Giroux we would have this year. I think it has to be taken into account that being on the wing has been beneficial. I think Couturier takes a lot of defensive pressure of Giroux and allows him a little more freedom.

I am glad i was wrong.
- J35Bacher

I always had faith in Claude, but I also couldn't ignore the fact his stats/production were trending down for several years. But I thought last year was 100% due to injury and really wanted to see how he'd bounce back. I couldn't be more proud of his season.

Don't agree.

He can be a serviceable role player. If you upgrade he can sit and fill in. But I would rather have his deal end this year instead of having dead cap space for 2 years. Especially since they are fine cap wise next year.
- J35Bacher

I'd much rather have a younger player with upside getting 4th line minutes than Lehtera. Bardreau, Vecchione, etc. And he's not serviceable. His production at ES and on the PP was laughably bad, and he was the worst PKer on the team apart from Leier who got banished to the pressbox for struggling shorthanded. But the vet got rewarded for his poor performances and even took Laghton's spot in the PK rotation for the second half of the season. Hakstol can't be trusted to use mediocre or worse veterans appropriately, so Hextall needs to make them disappear.

$5m for a slower, lower scoring version of Chris VandeVelde is horrible value.

He can't go anywhere -- signed an 8-year, $80 million extension that kicks in for next season
- AllInForFlyers

Wow. I didn't know he already signed long term with them already. I guess he believes in their ownership. Or doesn't mind losing.

There is a team I see treading water year in and year out.

Haha. Too positive? Was just saying to my friend, Carolina has missed he playoffs 9 straight years, and the oilers have made it once in the last 12 years?? At least a partial reason to be proud of the team. The window to contention is opening soon.could you imagine if this team in the midst of a re tool takes out the pens?
- Hextall271

I'm not going to be proud of this team by comparing them to the worst run franchises in the NHL over the past two decades.

Just because we didn't suck that bad doesn't mean we haven't gone through an ugly down time that's the second worse slump in Flyers history.

I'm not going to be proud of this team by comparing them to the worst run franchises in the NHL over the past two decades.

Just because we didn't suck that bad doesn't mean we haven't gone through an ugly down time that's the second worse slump in Flyers history.
- mayorofangrytown

Yeah, Carolina won a cup before they went to poop. The Oilers ended up with a generational talent. I think I could handle my team sucking for a while for either of those outcomes.

At least we can see our team is trending upwards in a big way. Look at Ottawa. Look at Arizona. Look at The Isles. Those franchises are in hockey hell.

I'm not going to be proud of this team by comparing them to the worst run franchises in the NHL over the past two decades.

Just because we didn't suck that bad doesn't mean we haven't gone through an ugly down time that's the second worse slump in Flyers history.
- mayorofangrytown

What I am saying is that the team is on track to become a contender again, and teams that should have found a way to be better by tanking for ages, haven't. I believe we're now steamrolling to contend in the next couple of years and that this success can be sustained.

With all the high picks they have had you would think they would be better. While the Flyers have had their share of bad deals and picks they have seemed to make the most of their choices and still put a competitive team on the ice.
- J35Bacher

since 2012 they have drafted 12th, 8th, 16th, 2nd, 2nd, 8th and 8th. to still be the worse team is hard to imagine

I'll admit I didn't know what Giroux we would have this year. I think it has to be taken into account that being on the wing has been beneficial. I think Couturier takes a lot of defensive pressure of Giroux and allows him a little more freedom.

I am glad i was wrong.
- J35Bacher

people were calling for him to lose the C just 2-3 weeks ago on twitter. unreal

If the Flyers can keep the games 5x5 and get solid goaltending it can be a long series.
If it's a special teams series they will get cut to ribbons. Obviously not rocket science.

I don't see anyone bringing up the fact the Penguins have played 44 games more than the Flyers the last two seasons counting their playoff runs. That's more than half an NHL season. That has to take a toll on them.
- PLindbergh31

no doubt those are key, along with line matchups in pittsburgh. they dominate at home.

since 2012 they have drafted 12th, 8th, 16th, 2nd, 2nd, 8th and 8th. to still be the worse team is hard to imagine
- nastyflyergirl

Edmonton says hello

this 100 times over. the Flyers being one of the better 5 on 5 teams and the Penguins being one of the worse and the Pens being the best PP team and the Flyers having one of the worse PK - this 100 times over.
- nastyflyergirl

so you're saying 100x over?

Edmonton says hello
- BiggE

I find it amazing that Edmonton has messed this up.

They sign lucic and give draisaitl massive coin. Trade hall and eberle because they can't afford them and although they had made progress last, had to tinker with it and it's gone off the rails.

no doubt those are key, along with line matchups in pittsburgh. they dominate at home.
- hammarby31

When they have last change and we're putting Flip on the ice. Woof.

https://www.theplayerstri...ne-simmonds-the-astronaut

Awesome article from Simmer. I highly suggest you check it out if you get a chance.
- ajw12

awesome read. thanks for posting

What I am saying is that the team is on track to become a contender again, and teams that should have found a way to be better by tanking for ages, haven't. I believe we're now steamrolling to contend in the next couple of years and that this success can be sustained.
- Hextall271

I can be happy today looking at where the team is going but I'm not sold they're steamrolling to contend. They're going to have to hit on some of the forwards they've drafted and a goalie and so far the D is half built.

There's a bit of a way to go to contend.

Today's not the day for that discussion though. We have Penguins to eliminate and I couldn't be more pleased that they're our first round matchup.

I'd much rather have a younger player with upside getting 4th line minutes than Lehtera. Bardreau, Vecchione, etc. And he's not serviceable. His production at ES and on the PP was laughably bad, and he was the worst PKer on the team apart from Leier who got banished to the pressbox for struggling shorthanded. But the vet got rewarded for his poor performances and even took Laghton's spot in the PK rotation for the second half of the season. Hakstol can't be trusted to use mediocre or worse veterans appropriately, so Hextall needs to make them disappear.

$5m for a slower, lower scoring version of Chris VandeVelde is horrible value.
- Feanor

Considering they are in a playoff spot after at one point being 28th in the league I think he's earned my trust in he knows what he is doing.

He also scratched Lehtara early in the season and gave Leier time. He tried Weise but that hasn't worked so he sat him. I think he's made some solid moves with what he's been given.

Also he just moved a vet in Simmonds off his major role to place a youngster with upside there.

You mention guys like Bardreau and Vecchione but he needs Hextal to give him those guys. I don't doubt he would sit Lehtara if he had some other options.

Has all his decisions been good....I don't know. But this team is in the playoffs and I see positives. If playing Lehtara on the 4th line for one more season is his worst desicion...I can live with it.

was saying that earlier...

I like Brassard but he doesnt having blazing speed, should be a decent match up for Flip, if TK can spark Simmonds, lines 1&2 draw even, it could be an upset
- wcorvette

he's the one guy i didn't want the pens to get just for this very situation - facing them in the playoffs. he just worries me.

so you're saying 100x over?
- hammarby31

100 times over

I find it amazing that Edmonton has messed this up.

They sign lucic and give draisaitl massive coin. Trade hall and eberle because they can't afford them and although they had made progress last, had to tinker with it and it's gone off the rails.
- Hextall271

They should've never got Lucic. That was a unnecessary move.

Their biggest issue has been failure to draft and develop D men. Remind you of anybody? They should've moved back in a couple of these drafts and targeted some D men they could build around. They drafted Hall, RNH, Yak, Driasital & McDavid. They had to know defense was going to come back and bite them.

he's the one guy i didn't want the pens to get just for this very situation - facing them in the playoffs. he just worries me.
- hammarby31

big game brass